Croston
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Croston | |
  Croston shown within Lancashire |
|
| Population | 2,679 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Parish | Croston |
| District | Chorley |
| Shire county | Lancashire |
| Region | North West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LEYLAND |
| Postcode district | PR25,PR26 |
| Dialling code | 01257/01772 |
| Police | Lancashire |
| Fire | Lancashire |
| Ambulance | North West |
| European Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Chorley |
| List of places: UK • England • Lancashire | |
Croston is a village in Lancashire, England between Chorley and Southport and is next to the River Yarrow. St. Michael's and All Angels' Church is at the centre of the village. At the end of Church Street there is a stone cross which was erected in 1953. There is a 15th century cobbled pack horse bridge which crosses the River Yarrow. The village green is used as a venue for the annual May Day Madness and Bastille Day (14 July) celebrations.
Contents |
[edit] History
Croston began in the 7th century when St. Aidan arrived at the riverside settlements. In the absence of a church, a cross acted as a place of worship. Croston gets its name from 'cross' derived from the Irish and the Scandinavian word 'tun' which means town (cross-town). It is unique as there are no other Crostons in the UK.
Centuries ago the parish of Croston was far larger than it is today. It included Chorley, Hoole, Rufford, Bretherton, Mawdesley, Tarleton, Hesketh Bank, Bispham, Walmer Bridge and Ulnes Walton. A charter granted by Edward I in 1283 permitted an annual medieval fair and market to be held on the village green. Ancient maps also depict a castle which is believed to have been of a wooden construction because there is no evidence of a stone structure.
Croston has a large brick police station which has recently been refurbished. This was replaced by a smaller police station in the 1970s. It is similar in style to those in the surrounding areas, notably Bamber Bridge and Leyland police stations.
[edit] Croston Old School
Croston Old School is a Grade 2 listed building which originates from 1660. It is situated in the centre of the village at the end of Church Street and next to the 900-years old church. Until 1999 the buildings were used as a school. Croston Old School Community Trust's grant from the National Lottery for £481,062 has funded the majority of a scheme to create a Community Resource Centre for Croston.
The building provides:
- A new home for Croston Pre-school
- A large community space with meeting rooms
- An exhibition area for local arts and heritage projects
- A reference library and a reading room
- Space for adult education
[edit] Bishop Rawstorne C of E Language College
Bishop Rawstorne Language College is a high school located on Out Lane, Croston. It is a highly successful school, with academic achievement as well as school honours: It is a teacher training college, and has received awards from Charter Mark (for excellence), The British Council, the DfES and the DfEE. The school is also a language college, that teaches French and German from year 7 and French, German and Spanish at year 9 as part of the curriculum. Students also have the opportunity to learn Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Swedish, Magyar and Polish. Recently the school has also become a science and mathematics college, with more funding from the DfES to buy new specialist equipment for the departments.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Croston Main Page
- Croston chorley.gov.uk.
